Just Opened: MagicGrounds for Curing Cabin Fever

It’s no wonder families are flocking to MagicGround, located a stone’s throw from the Columbia Heights metro station. The space is designed to offer a “fun, educational, and memorable experien ce for both children and their parents.” But does the place live up to the hype? We did a little sleuthing to give you the lowdown on the city’s newest cabin fever-buster.

Photo: MagicGround

What’s up…and down?With large, colorful equipment andPhoto: MagicGround not an arcade game in sight, creative play is the name of the game at MagicGround. Six play areas offer something fun for every kid. Let your young Picasso’s creative juices flow freely in Artime. In the show hall, your drama king or queen try out face painting and costumes of all kinds. Young gearheads will love the designed car area. MagicGround’s centerpiece, however, is the large play structure featuring slides, tunnels, logic games and more. Another tip: don’t forget to look for the trampoline tucked away behind the main play structure!

Come one, come all
Think the space is best for older kids? Think again. Little ones will love the Toddler Cave that’s decked out with equipment just their size. In fact, mom sources say that the whole place is perfect for the under six set.

How much?MagicGround has no shortage of payment options. A $10 pass gets you one hour of fun, but you can also dole out $15 for a full-day, in/out pass. We recommend this option to make the most of the space. Bringing the whole brood? Family passes are available at a discounted price. Seasonal memberships are another option at $250 a pop. Baby bonus: all those under 18 months are free.

Grub hubWhile MagicGround’s restaurant isn’t open yet, its menu looks promising. From hummus and salads to pizza and pasta, there’s lots of options for even the most discriminating little gourmand. Another healthy plus is that there are no candy machines calling your kids name at the place.

Other perksWinter birthday boys and girls can celebrate their big days at MagicGround. Their staff offers a soup to nuts approach to party planning with different options for every kid and budget. All parties include unlimited play for guests and 90 minutes of exclusive use of the party room. Field trips and group outings are also welcome too.

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The bottom lineMagicGround is a fun, clean, and safe place for the DMV’s youngest residents to play when the temperatures dip. While staff supervision is limited and food options aren’t available (yet), the space’s emphasis on creative play for kids of all ages makes it an appealing option for families looking to have fun indoors.